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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Ben Davies

Jake Paul rejects Paulie Malignaggi offer by claiming he doesn't know who he is

Jake Paul has dismissed fight call-outs from Paulie Malignaggi and Mairis Briedis by claiming he doesn't know who they are.

The YouTube star's profile has continued to rise in the sport after a successful 2021 as he defeated Ben Askren and former UFC champion Tyron Woodley while earning an estimated $40 million.

He has since faced several challenges from fighters including Anderson Silva, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and Malignaggi.

However Paul has now quickly moved to rubbish these call-outs and has admitted there is "no clear pathway" to a potential opponent currently in his plans.

“I don’t know who half these guys are to be honest," Paul told talkSPORT. “People are calling me out every week, and almost every day honestly.

Jake Paul is targeting a return to the ring later this year (Matchroom Boxing)

“I don’t really pay attention to it anymore. It’s more, ‘Who do I wanna fight? And who would make me excited to get out of bed and go train my ass off for months?’

“That’s the opponent I’m looking for. But all these other guys are probably just looking for a payday. I want to fight towards the end of the year. the opponent is to be determined and there’s no clear pathway now. I’m just seeing how the cookie crumbles.”

Paul was subject to a call-out from former world champion Malignaggi who believed he suited the profile of boxer that Paul needs to continue the evolution of his boxing career.

The 25-year-old has faced increasing criticism from the likes of former cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew for not fighting a star with a 'natural background' in boxing.

Paul was set to end that drought with a clash against British star Tommy Fury but his rival was forced to withdraw at short notice with a broken rib injury.

Who would you like to see Jake Paul face next in the ring? Let us know in the comments section below

Malignaggi recently threw his hat into the ring for a shot at Paul but backed Chavez Jr to defeat Paul if the pair staged a bout in his next fight.

"I want to see Jake Paul vs a real boxer," Malignaggi told his YouTube channel. "I think it's going to be an older guy.

"But it can't just be an older guy nobody's ever heard of… A little bit older, a little bit smaller. He's gonna hit him, so maybe not the biggest puncher. Err, Paulie Malignaggi?

"There is a lot of talk including Chavez Jr, but I personally think that he beats Jake Paul. I think Paul was having trouble with Tyron Woodley until he knocked him out. If anything don't think he can take on a boxer in his prime.

"Chavez Jr in his prime wasn't even that good, but I still think he was better than Jake Paul as he did win a world championship legitimately. I think he is too much because he also has the size, he might be big enough to give Jake Paul a lot of problems."

Paul will delay his boxing return until his promotion of the event between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano is complete.

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